Asm. Mike Inganamort

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's self-defense laws to clarify when force or deadly force is legally justified. It removes the requirement to retreat before using force (except deadly force) to protect oneself or others from imminent unlawful force, and explicitly allows "standing your ground" when not committing a crime and in a lawful location. Deadly force is permitted to prevent death, serious injury, or specific violent crimes like murder, robbery, or aggravated assault (referencing the "Three Strikes" law). The bill repeals outdated statutes (N.J.S.2C:3-4 through N.J.S.2C:3-7) and directly affects anyone potentially using force in self-defense across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts in every county to receive a minimum geographic cost adjustment (GCA) of 1.0 when calculating state school aid. The GCA adjusts funding based on local costs, and this bill mandates it cannot fall below 1.0 for any county, ensuring all districts get at least the base funding level. It amends existing law to clarify that the commissioner must develop and update this adjustment every five years using census data, while maintaining the 1.0 minimum. This directly affects all public school districts statewide by guaranteeing a baseline funding level regardless of geographic cost differences. The bill focuses on the formula's structure, not specific outcomes or advocacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2658) prohibits New Jersey's state pension and annuity funds from investing in Chinese pharmaceutical companies or any company with business ties to them. It directly affects the state's pension funds managed by the Division of Investment, requiring them to divest existing holdings within three years. Key mechanisms include annual reporting to the legislature on divestment progress and requiring the State Investment Council to consult with an independent research firm to identify affected investments. The bill is pending before the New Jersey Assembly (introduced January 13, 2026) and does not yet take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's voter registration commissioner to move voters with mail-in ballots returned as undeliverable to an inactive file. If such voters fail to vote in two consecutive federal general elections, they will be removed from the statewide voter registration system and transferred to a deleted file. Voters must receive notices about their inactive status, the removal decision, and final removal. The commissioner must retain undeliverable ballots for two years. The bill directly affects voters whose mail-in ballots cannot be delivered to their current address.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A-169 bans foreign governments and foreign persons (including non-citizens, foreign-owned businesses, and entities controlled by foreign interests) from acquiring or owning agricultural/horticultural land or agricultural woodlands in the state. Existing foreign owners must sell or transfer their land within five years, with a deed attached requiring the land to remain in agricultural use. Exceptions allow limited transfers for debt collection or inheritance, but new foreign ownership is prohibited after the bill's effective date. This directly affects foreign entities seeking to purchase or control New Jersey farmland or forested agricultural areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 872) prohibits requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or asking about vaccination status as a condition for accessing many services or activities. It directly affects individuals who have not been vaccinated by making it illegal for employers, schools, healthcare providers, businesses, and public venues to deny access, employment, or services based on vaccine status or refusal to disclose it. Key provisions ban such requirements across 15 areas, including employment, education, healthcare, business entry, and public spaces. Violators face civil penalties of $25,000 plus attorney fees for each violation. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program allowing New Jersey's State Agriculture Development Committee to acquire development easements on privately-owned woodlands. It directly affects woodland owners (minimum 20 acres) who manage their land for agriculture, forestry, or horticulture under approved stewardship plans. The program permanently restricts development on these lands through easements funded by existing farmland preservation funds, requiring landowners to maintain agricultural or forest production. The committee coordinates with federal programs like the Forest Legacy Program to secure additional funding for this conservation effort.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's age requirement for municipal police officers to allow veterans to deduct military service time from their age. Specifically, veterans who served at least 10 days during a time of war may have up to two years of service deducted from their actual age, meaning their adjusted age must be 35 or younger to qualify. It directly affects veterans over 35 seeking police officer positions in New Jersey municipalities. The change caps the deduction at two years (previously unbounded) while maintaining the 35-year maximum age limit. The amendment updates existing law (N.J.S.40A:14-127) to clarify this provision.

Maddy summaryBill A 1239 authorizes New Jersey to issue special Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation license plates for motor vehicles. Vehicle owners pay a $50 application fee and a $10 annual fee on top of standard registration costs, with all extra fees deposited into a dedicated "Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation License Plate Fund." The fund's annual proceeds are appropriated to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation to support its mission of providing scholarships to children of active duty, retired, or deceased Marines. This policy directly affects New Jersey vehicle owners who choose the plates and benefits the Foundation, which has awarded over 30,000 scholarships since 1962.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Students with Communication Disabilities' Bill of Rights," requiring school districts to ensure students with communication disabilities (including speech, hearing, or vision impairments) have full access to education through their preferred communication methods. It mandates schools provide early screening, trained assistants using students' primary communication tools (like sign language, AAC devices, or letter boards), communication plans in IEPs, and full access to all school activities. The bill aligns with federal laws like the ADA and IDEA but specifies concrete school district actions rather than creating new legal rights. It directly affects students with communication disabilities, their families, and public school districts across New Jersey.